This Sandwich Sushi Bento Box Lunch is four easy recipes in one! Back to school means it’s back to being busy before, during and after school. Not to mention the challenges of food allergies and special diets. Luckily you can ease the morning mayhem, and make their days a little brighter, by incorporating some simple ideas.

Notes can comfort little ones at school, but you might not always have time to write one. I love these Little Lunch Box Notes, which have cute graphics and messages.

Look for fresh, make-ahead options your kids will enjoy. The “sushi” rolls in this recipe offer fish-free fun, and because the bread is flattened in advance, you don’t have to worry about smooshed sandwiches. Plus, it’s something you can take for lunch too.

Salads, like the ones below, made with hearty vegetables and grains are also great make ahead options. They keep better than leafy greans.

Bento boxes make lunchtime more interesting, allowing kids to pick and choose what they eat next. It also avoids the dreaded “food touching” scenario. BentGo Kids Lunch Boxes are cute and very popular.

To make sandwich sushi rolls, trim crust from the bread. Roll out bread slices with a rolling pin to ⅛-inch thickness. Top with turkey, mustard, avocado and cucumber. Roll into a cylinder, wrap with plastic wrap and cut in half or into smaller rolls.

To make quinoa salad, put the quinoa, almonds, oranges, cranberries, green onions, and olive oil in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

To make broccoli salad, put the broccoli, almonds, cranberries, soy sauce, and dairy-free yogurt in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Season with pepper.

To make cinnamon apples, toss the apples with lemon juice and cinnamon. Place in sandwich bags and seal tightly.